What are Counterfeit Devices
The manufacture of counterfeit (or fake) components is an illegal process that emerged due to the transferable value of electronic parts. Any company requiring components to manufacture PCBs is at risk and many have already received batches of “bad” devices. Counterfeiting can be achieved through various processes, including removing devices from scrap boards, then superficially repairing and rebranding or using normal manufacturing capabilities in “ghost shifts” outside of standard hours, which may have several manufacturing faults (some may not even contain a silicon die). Differentiating counterfeit components is usually expensive and time-consuming. Waiting for devices to be tested on a PCB is dangerous and might lead to the recall of entire batches.
Protect Your Supply Chain
Stay ahead of counterfeiting and non-conforming components entering your supply chain with SENTRY. This easy-to-use tester is the quickest solution on the market for identifying rogue devices and mitigating risks. Using unique electrical signature (PinPrint) comparison, it determines authenticity against a customisable library of good working examples.
Designed for operators with minimal electronics knowledge, SENTRY can test from simple 2-pin devices to complex BGA packages. Easily detect missing or incorrect dies, absence of bond wires, incorrect pin-outs, and variations in pin impedance. The SENTRY software generates reports automatically, combining technical data with web links, PDFs and images. SENTRY is designed with data sharing in mind, meaning PinPrints, device and adapter configurations can be shared from across different sites and users.
Adaptable to All Devices
Fully Custom Library
Little Training Required
Full Report Analysis
Available Accessories
Universal PLCC Adapters
Designed to accomodate a range of PLCC package & pin sizes (up to 84 pins) whilst keeping adapters to a minimum.
Specifications & How To Use
- Plastic: Parts black UL 94 V-0 Glass-filled Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
- Contact Pin: heat-treated Beryllium-Copper alloy 172
- Contact Plating: 12µ [0.31µm] min. Gold per MIL-G-45204 over 100µ [2.54µ] min. Nickel per SAE-AMS-QQ-N-290 over 20µ [0.51µ] Copper per MIL-C-14550
- Hardware: Stainless Steel Operating Temperature: 85°F to 257°F [-65°C to 125°C]
- Life Cycle: 10,000 insertions maximum
Universal SOIC Adapters
Designed to accommodate a range of SOIC package & pin sizes (up to 44 pins) whilst keeping adapters to a minimum.
Specifications & How To Use
- Loosen Locator Lock Screws
- Slide one of the Locators to a position that would place the device to be tested centrally on the contacts and tighten its Lock Screw
- Slide the Second Locator Lock Screw (clearance is required for ease-of-loading and removal)
- Remove screw for Hinge Plate
- Swing Hinge Plate up out of socket top
- Loosen Pressure Plate Locking Screws and slide them out
- Position Pressure Plates so they will press down on the feet (part of Pb that gets soldered to board) of a Gull Wing device (see Detail “A”). If the device has J-leads, position Pressure Plates to press down on top of device’s body (see Detail “B”) and tighten locking screws.
- Swing Hinge Plate back into the socket top and tighten the Screw for the Hinge Plate
- Double check your settings
Customisable Test Adapters
ABI offers a range of customisable options for adapters, from board design and layout to complete adapter assembly.
Examples
- BGA Adapter 292 pins, 1.27mm pitch
- BGA Adapter 256 pins, 1.00mm pitch
- BGA Adapter 456 pins, 1.00mm pitch
- QFP Adapter 100 pins, 0.65mm pitch
- BGA Adapter 48 pins (6×8), 0.75mm pitch
- QFP Adapter 100 pins (25×25), 0.5mm pitch
- QFP Adapter 208 pins (52×52), 0.5mm pitch
- Dual Adapter 54 pins TSOP (0.8mm pitch) with 64 pins QFP (16×16) 0.5mm pitch
SENTRY FAQs
What is the ABI SENTRY Counterfeit IC Detector?
ABI SENTRY is an electronic component screening system designed for incoming inspection and supply-chain quality control. It compares the electrical characteristics of suspect components with trusted reference data, helping organisations identify counterfeit, non-conforming or incorrectly supplied parts before they enter production.
How does SENTRY detect counterfeit or non-conforming components?
SENTRY measures the electrical response of a component’s pins and creates a unique signature called a PinPrint. The PinPrint is compared with data from a trusted reference component. Differences can reveal anomalies associated with missing or incorrect dies, absent bond wires, incorrect pin-outs, damaged components and variations in pin impedance.
Does SENTRY require a known-good reference component?
SENTRY has been successfully employed by organisations looking for consistency across the reel, but its main application requires trusted reference data for comparison. This can be acquired from a verified component or approved batch and stored in the customisable SENTRY library. Reference PinPrints can also be shared between authorised users.
What types of electronic components can SENTRY test?
SENTRY can screen a wide range of analogue and digital electronic components, from simple two-pin devices to complex packages such as BGAs. Standard, universal and custom adapters are available for different component packages.
Does an operator need electronics expertise to use SENTRY?
SENTRY is designed so that routine screening can be performed by goods-inwards and quality-control personnel with minimal electronics knowledge. Operators receive clear good, suspect or fail results. Test configuration, reference selection, tolerance setting and investigation of unusual results should be managed by appropriately trained personnel. Detailed reports can include component information, comparison tolerances, images, pin results and supporting documentation. ABI provides online operation training courses for SENTRY users. Contact sales@abielectronics.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
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